Impressions of the Playaz N1, Sonia II, RE252, RE0, PFE and IE8, or “Something of Everything and... - Page 2

Yes, after some more serious listening, I'll help ease the load on the Xears.... Don't mind @ all.

I saw that James, but couldn't figure where the orange foams came from...lol. I must try that!! Thomas sent a bunch of UE quality silicons.

Yep, the RE252 is pretty interesting, definitely better then I was expecting when I got my pair. Considering they can be found used for under $150, they are an insanely good buy for the quality of sound they produce. You might want to at least use a tiny bit of EQing on the low end. From basic frequency response testing, it does roll off slowly on the lower half and ends up slightly bright. Some EQing can provide a more neutral, fuller presentation. Tip choice and seal is part of this too, and because of how it sits in the ear, some tips that could normally work may not due to the fixed placement.

I'll agree the PFE is more involving in the sense that it is more forward and aggressive. I understand the "simplistic" comment too. It's a very clean, simple sound, perhaps a little too much so. Notes are very short (overly controlled?) and sort of end up lacking some articulation and texture. It's something I also see in the SE530 which has a similar kind of presentation. Sometimes it can end up too clean, too short on note and some presence and subtlety is lost.

A small note on the comparisons, some of these earphones do benefit from amping. Also once we get to this level of sound quality, these earphones start to become sensitive to the quality of the audio source. Low bitrate recordings and less then ideal source devices can really limit the sound quality one hears through these devices. For example, the RE252 is particularly sensitive to the sound quality of the source material and device. I have some poor recordings that really do make the RE252 sound like complete crap. As to needing an amp, I have only used 2 earphones, ever, that benefited zero from amping. These were the NE-7M and Triple.Fi 10. That's it. All other earphones benefited at least a little with amping. The main gain is better fullness, dynamics, and control in the lower frequencies. Although amping largely isn't needed, it's just one of those things you should pretty much just use anyways because there are almost always gains to be had. Even a basic budget amp like FiiO's E5 is a useful amp. Some additional gains in power can be had with better amps, and you can get better overall sound quality once you step to amps with built in DACs. This can bypass some of the mediocre sources like a low quality and noisy laptop line out. You have to be willing to drop around $200 for something good though. However, products like these can let you experience earphones in their best light.

Speaking of amping and need, it is interesting to note that the IE8 isn't tremendously sensitive to low wattage, BUT it is very power hungry and can really make use of stronger amps if available and give you sizable output gains. Some earphones have an odd sense with amps. An example is Westone's UM3X. This is a very highly sensitive earphone. It shouldn't need much in terms of amperage, and it doesn't need much in most regards. However, one odd factor is the UM3X is incredibly sensitive to amping with bass. Off low power, it is quite muddy and incoherent, but once amped, it snaps together being very articulate and controlled. Odd things like this happens when you don't always provide enough power. The end point is essentially be careful. Sometimes what you hear isn't specifically a problem with the earphone. Sometimes the limitation of the setup hinders the end quality.

I'm glad you're getting into EQing. I feel too many people shun the concept when they shouldn't. It can be very helpful making otherwise unlikeable earphones very, very good. Most every earphone can benefit some from EQing. However, a lot of audio players just don't offer extensive EQs. It can sometimes take a rather serious EQing tool to bring an earphone into a brilliant light. There are some earphones that sound great but that I wouldn't be hard-pressed to use without EQing.

Very true. I've been getting more into EQ'ing lately, especially to make my RE0s more like my Grados. I feel like people are turned away from headphones without just the right sound signature when they could otherwise have enjoyed them.

well said mvw2..I need to get back into amping with my portable one of these days but don't think I'll be able to run anything other than dap to iem anytime soon.

Some EQ isn't bad when needed but I don't think I could ever do that kind of EQ that james is doing. That's a bit too extreme for me even though all my dap's respond fairly well to it.

Hey james, how much better are the N1s over the M9s?

Dumb questions, has anyone tried the tri flanges they sell with them? How large are they? (I ordered tris from ebay but they were much to small for my ears, I always need the biggest single flanges FWIW)

I can live with the ebay bi flanges from lelong. I also like the RE0 huge biflanges (only thing I can get a seal with on the RE0). Currently trying the big PFE tips which are a weird thing (check the FX500 thread for some initial thoughts).

yeah I meant the playaz EQ. That and the amount of work (or time) that it takes to get the right EQ is too much for me. Maybe I should just get them and find a reason to use my sansa e260 again.